Spray tank

ABSTRACT

A lightweight, portable chemical spraying device embodying a spray tank filled with liquid chemicals charged by a propane gas tank or the like at a predetermined pressure by a pressure regulator.

United States Patent [191 Morehouse et al.

SPRAY TANK Inventors: John H. Morehouse, 2723 E. First St.; John B. Morehouse, 2704 E.

First St., both of Mesa, Ariz. 85203 Filed: Apr. 26, 1972 Appl. No.: 247,596

US. Cl 239/286, 222/176, 239/308 Int. Cl B05b 11/00 Field 01 Search 239/307, 308, 286,

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,469,788 9/1969 Glavos 239/308 X Oct. 9, 1973 Brown 239/307 X Rice 239/153 Sturcke 239/308 X Phister 239/308 X l-lagadorn 239/307 Juniper 239/307 X Primary ExaminerM. Henson Wood, Jr. Assistant Examiner-Michael Y. Mar Attorney-Warren F. B. Lindsley ABSTRACT A lightweight, portable chemical spraying device embodying a spray tank filled with liquid chemicals charged by a propane gas tank or the like at a predetermined pressure by a pressure regulator.

3 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures Patented Oct. 9; 1973 3,764,072

2 Sheets-Sheet 1 SPRAY TANK BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION I This invention relates to chemical spraying equipment and more particularly to an improved, lightweight, portable chemical spraying device embodying a spray tank filled with liquid chemicals charged by a propane gas tank at a predetermined pressure by a pressure regulator.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention is particularly directed to the safe use of Freon l2, Freon 22 or propane gas as the charging medium for liquid chemicals which heretofore was too dangerous to handle by known chemical spraying equipment.

' DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART volume must be used as to render the spraying device too heavy to carry and too unwieldy to use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the invention claimed, an improved, lightweight, portable chemical spraying device is provided which safely uses propane gas as a charging medium for liquid chemicals at a predetermined pressure regulated by a pressure regulator in such a manner that it cannot be varied by a user for safety purposes.

It is, therefore, one object of this invention to provide a new and improved portable chemical spray device for yard and interior building use.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved portable chemical spray device which safely utilizes propane gas as a charging medium.

A further object of this invention is to provide an improved chemical spraying device for use with propane gas as a charging medium which employs built in tamper-proof pressure regulators for controlling the pressure at which the propane gas is dispersed.

A still further object of this invention-is to provide an improved portable chemical spraying device which maintains an evenpressure on the emission of pressurized liquid chemical spray which is fixed in order to as sure premix of gas and chemicals and controlled mist or spray consistency.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the following description proceeds and the features of novelty which characterize this invention will be pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming part of this specification.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING The present invention may be more readily described by reference to the accompanying drawing, in which: FIG. I is a front perspective view ofa wheel-mounted spraying device embodying the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the rear of the structure shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the two-wheeled cart shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view of the rear of the base of the cart shown in FIG. 3; and

FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of a hand carried spraying device embodying the invention of thedevice shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring more particularly to the drawings by characters of reference, FIGS. 1 and 2 disclose a wheelmounted spraying device 10. Although this invention is susceptible to embodiment in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and described herein one embodiment which is an exemplification of the principles of the invention.

The spraying device embodies three major components, namely a wheeled cart 11, a liquid chemical unit and associated controls 12 and a compressed gas tank 13.

The liquid chemical unit and associated controls 12 comprise a generally cylindrical tank 14 having an interior for receiving a liquid solution of chemicals through a wide open top which is closed by a cover 15, which fastens to the top of the tank in any suitable gas-tight manner such as by clamps (not shown). The hand spray wand 18 is connected to tank 14 by a length of precoiled nylon hose 19 having a spray nozzle 20 which is operable by a mannually controlled valve 21 triggered by a pistol-type valve actuating means 22. The nylon hose I9 is detachably connected to the top of tank 14 by a suitable coupling 23 which may comprise a shutoff valve (not shown) which automatically seals the tank 14 when the nylon hose 19 is detached from the tank to thereby seal any gas under pressure in the tank.

A chemical solution is mixed in the proper portions for the spraying function to be performed and placed in tank 14 by a filling operation through the open top of tank 14. When filled to a predetermined level, the cover 15 is closed, sealing the liquid in the tank.

The interior of the tank is placed under pressure to the desired amount by compressed gas from gas tank 13'. In this instance, due to the unique design and arrangement of parts, liquid propane gas under pressure may be used for charging the liquid chemical in tank 14. The gas tank 13 comprises a relatively small cylindrical pressure tank 25 constructed to withstand substantial pressure. Tank 25 is of a size easily carried by a user and readily clamped on cart 11 as shown in FIGS. 1-3. Its interior volume is a small percentage of the interior volume of tank 14. Tank 25 has an inlet opening 26 and an air outlet valve'27 extending from the top thereof which connects a fluid line 28 of copper or other suitable material from valve 27 through fluid line 28, pressure regulator 29, coupling 30 into a check valve and inlet port 31 in the top of tank 14.

The fluid line 28 carries a female part of quickdisconnect couplings 32 and 32 at each end, which fasten to male couplings at the outlet valve 27 and the regulator 29, respectively. Couplings 32 and 32 insure As noted from FIGS. 1 and 2, the pressure regulator is of the sealed type completely enclosed at its source of manufacture so that it precludes any pressure from reaching the chemical solution in tank 14 other than that preset by the regulator at the factory. This is a particularly desirable features of this invention, since propane gas in tank 25 must be very carefully regulated and only a given amount of it under pressure may be used to render the spraying apparatus safe for use by the public.

Further, by controlling the pressure of propane gas used, the spraying capacity of the apparatus may be extended by only using the optimum gas pressure on the liquid chemical in tank 14.

Thus, regulator 29 controls the charging of the liquid chemical tank 14 at a continuous rate by the gas in tank 25. The operator cannot control and determine the pressure in the spray tank, since it is preset for safety and efficiency by the manufacturer of the spraying equipment.

The cylindrical tank 14 and propane gas tank 25 are mounted on cart 11 for effortless movement. This cart embodies a pair of polyethylene tires on aluminum wheels 35 and 36 mounted by means of bearings 37 and 38 an axle 39 which is suitably mounted on or attached to a vertically extending frame member 40 having a handle 41 extending laterally from the upper end thereof. The lower end of the frame member 40 has a shallow cup-shaped cylindrical receptacle 42 mounted thereon, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, for receiving the lower bottom end of tank 14. The cylindrical receptacle 42 is provided with a plurality of clips 43 for receiving in interlocking arrangement clamps (not shown) on tank 14. A foot 44 is mounted on the bottom 45 of receptacle 42 for supporting in combination with the wheels and 36 the lightweight spraying device 10.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, tank 25 is clamped to the frame member by a suitable clamp 46 and wand 18 may be stored in the hollow interior of frame member 40.

FIG. 5 discloses a hand-carried spraying device 50 having the same components as shown in spraying device 10, except tank 14' is ofa shorter length than tank 14 of spraying device 10, and it may have a different diameter, if so desired. The wand 18' is also ofa shorter length and is stored in an open cylinder 51 fastened to the front of tank 14' as shown.

It should be recognized that any chemical spray may be used in tank 14, and tank 25 may contain freon or other suitable gas under pressure if so desired.

Although but two embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention or from the scope of the appended claims. What is claimed is:

l. A chemical spraying device comprising:

a liquid chemical spray tank having a base end and a top opening for filling and emptying thereof,

a compressed fluid tank,

a fluid line connecting said spray tank and said fluid tank together including quick-disconnect couplings,

a regulator mounted in said fluid line for controlling the pressure of said fluid flowing from said fluid tank to said spray tank,

said regulator being preset to pass only fluid at a fixed predetermined pressure,

spray nozzle means connected to said spray tank,

said spray nozzle means comprising a pre-coiled hoze detachably connected at one end to said spray tank for communication with the top of the interior thereof, a pistol type handle valve means connected to the other end of said hose and having a hand-held wand connected thereto for transmitting the emission of pressurized liquid from said spray nozzle means upon opening of said valve, and

shield means mounted on said spraying device for receiving and storing said wand when not in use, means for facilitating handling of said tanks,

said means including a frame having an axle and a pair of ground engaging wheels,

a handle at one end of said frame remote from said axle,

a tank supporting platform at the lower end of said frame for supporting said spray tank,

means for supporting said fluid tank on said frame adjacent said spray tank in side-by-side relationship,

said shield means comprising an open-ended cylindrical tube mounted on said frame longitudinally thereof for receiving and housing said wand when not in use,

said frame comprises a hollow tubular member extending longitudinally of said spray tank, open at the upper end, which serves as said cylindrical tube of said shield for said wand.

2. The chemical spraying device set forth in claim 1 wherein:

said platform comprises a receptacle for receiving the bottom of said spray tank,

the bottom 'of said receptacle being provided with a leg for engaging the surface on which said wheels are supported for holding said spraying device in an upright, at-rest position; and

said means for supporting said fluid tank comprises a releasable strap attached to said frame for securing said fluid tank to said frame.

3. The chemical spraying device set forth in claim 1 wherein: propane is stored under pressure in said fluid tank. 

1. A chemical spraying device comprising: a liquid chemical spray tank having a base end and a top opening for filling and emptying thereof, a compressed fluid tank, a fluid line connecting said spray tank and said fluid tank together including quick-disconnect couplings, a regulator mounted in said fluid line for controlling the pressure of said fluid flowing from said fluid tank to said spray tank, said regulator being preset to pass only fluid at a fixed predetermined pressure, spray nozzle means connected to said spray tank, said spray nozzle means comprising a pre-coiled hoze detachably connected at one end to said spray tank for communication with the top of the interior thereof, a pistol type handle valve means connected to the other end of said hose and having a hand-held wand connected thereto for transmitting the emission of pressurized liquid from said spray nozzle means upon opening of said valve, and shield means mounted on said spraying device for receiving and storing said wand when not in use, means for facilitating handling of said tanks, said means including a frame having an axle and a pair of ground engaging wheels, a handle at one end of said frame remote from said axle, a tank supporting platform at the lower end of said frame for supporting said spray tank, means for supporting said fluid tank on said frame adjacent said spray tank in side-by-side relationship, said shield means comprising an open-ended cylindrical tube mounted on said frame longitudinally thereof for receiving and housing said wand when not in use, said frame comprises a hollow tubular member extending longitudinally of said spray tank, open at the upper end, which serves as said cylindrical tube of said shield for said wand.
 2. The chemical spraying device set forth in claim 1 wherein: said platform comprises a receptacle for receiving the bottom of said spray tank, the bottom of said receptacle being provided with a leg for engaging the surface on which said wheelS are supported for holding said spraying device in an upright, at-rest position; and said means for supporting said fluid tank comprises a releasable strap attached to said frame for securing said fluid tank to said frame.
 3. The chemical spraying device set forth in claim 1 wherein: propane is stored under pressure in said fluid tank. 